The Arctic Hare

The Arctic Hare

The arctic hare is commonly found across the northern tundra of Canada.  During the winter, it prefers sheltered areas where it can easily search for food below the snow.  The arctic hare’s colour changes depending on the season and where it lives.  On the tundra they appear blue gray.  In the far north they are almost visibly pure white against the snow.  Surprisingly they form large groups of 100 to 300 for protection and for warmth.  Sensing danger, they can bound off quickly, hopping on their hind legs like a kangaroo.  By contrast, young hares learn to sit perfectly still, becoming almost invisible to their enemies.  Arctic hare often get into boxing matches with each other, scratching and snapping, but never biting. 

Young arctic hare grow twice as fast as other species of hare due to short arctic summers.

Arctic hare eat a variety of tundra vegetation including twigs and roots of arctic willow and crowberry.  Finally, arctic hare also feed on meat, and are often attracted to bait left in traps. 

       

         Source:     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_hare